chapter 37

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Ayesha's pov

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He broke my car!!

How could he? What does he think of himself?

What has happened to Mr Khan? Why is he reacting this way? The way he reacted he actually gave me cold sweat, but I will not let myself down in front of him, specially after how he behaved with me in front of sufiyan

He stopped the car outside the house, I went off the car and entered the house. I didn't care if he was coming or not, I saw everyone sitting at the dining area, so I sneaked in the room.

The magical fragrance of jasmine hit my nostrils as I opened the door. I looked around the room, it was all decorated beautifully.

There were roses, the lights were dimmed. A happy birthday banner was hanging on the wall perfectly

I was still standing in the doorway, when Mr Khan came and pushed me inside. He locked the door, he grabbed my arm roughly

"How dare you to defy me? Mai tumhe us jagah Jane nahi dena chahta jahan woh ho sakta hai aur tum usse hi Milne chali gayi (I don't want to see you going to the place where he could be and you went to meet him)" he shouted

"Mr Khan, leave my hand" I said, he tightened his grip

"Why did you get so much ready? For him?" He looked so angry, i have never seen him like this

He rubbed his thumb on my lips. To wipe off my lipstick

"Kese kar sakti ho kise aur k liye yeh tayyariyan (how can you make all the preparations for somebody else?)" I looked away from him, his hold on my arm became rougher

"Aaah Mr Khan" I said

"Answer me" he seethed, I pushed him away with all my strength

"Why will i give you the answer? Who the hell are you? What were you saying, that I can only meet to those who are allowed by you. Wake up and smell the coffee. I don't care what you want and what you don't want. I will meet whoever I want, I will do whatever I want and you will not be able to stop me. I don't know how many times I have to repeat the same thing again and again to get in your thick skull, you dunderhead" I yelled at him, I was walking past him when he stood infront of me

"What did you say I cannot stop you?" He went towards the bed, he ripped the happy birthday banner and threw it away. "I can't stop you?" He pulled the bedsheet with so much force that such a heavy bouquet went flying

He was throwing things here and there. After he turned the whole room into a disaster, he came to me. He grabbed my arms and crashed my back against the wall

"I am ready to take all your tantrums, all your mood swings, all your anger, but I won't tolerate it" He shouted

"You can abuse me, insult me, disrespect me, but you won't even take his name from your mouth, or else I will just go and kill him"

"Whether you accept it or not, I am your husband and you are my wife"

"I'm not your wife" I snapped at him

"Shut up! You are my wife and that is the reality, wake up and smell the coffee" his words were dipped with venom

We both were staring at each other, suddenly my phone rang.

"If it's him, he is dying tonight" he said and marched to get my phone, I instantly got worried for sufiyan, this madman is capable of anything

He looked at the screen of my phone, then left the room. I frowned and went to see it, my insides started shaking, when I saw "baba calling" on my phone

"Hello" I said

"Ayesha beta" he said, and the dam of my tears broke. I fell on my knees

"Baba" I said and sobbed loudly

"How are you princess? Happy Birthday to you"

"Baba I'm sorry, I'm very very sorry. I miss you so much, I love you so much" I cried profusely

"I miss you too beta."

"Please forgive me" I begged

"I already have! That is why I called you. You did what you had to, but i can't stay mad at you forever, you are my only princess, I love you"

"I didn't want to hurt you ever. I cannot disrespect you, not even in my dreams. I never meant things to happen that way"

"Just leave everything in the past now."

"I want to talk with mumma, where is she, please call her" I said, and there was a silence of a minute

"She needs a little more time, she is still very angry at you. But don't worry, I will convince her"

"I want to come to Chandigarh, I want to be with you both. I miss home" a sob broke

"Soon beta. This house looks lifeless without you" he said and a small smile appeared on my lips

We continued talking for what felt like ages, We had so much to catch up.

When the phone call ended I kissed it and hugged it

Baba called!! I can't believe. Tears of joy fell from my eyes. It was the best birthday gift ever.

My phone rang again, is baba calling again? I got excited and looked at the caller, my heart sank when I saw sufiyan's name.

My eyes roamed around the room to find if Mr Khan was there, thank god, he wasn't. I can't continue talking with Sufiyan, not because of Mr Khan, but because of him only, I can't let him get hurt because of me.

Once the phone stopped ringing, I blocked his number. It was better this way, we shouldn't stay connected at all. I threw my phone on the bed.

I looked around the mess he has created, jeeju would be coming here soon, I can't let him see all this, Mr Khan has already embarrassed me in front of sufiyan, now I don't want the same thing to repeat with jeeju.

I got up and started cleaning the room. There were rose petals everywhere, I collected it and threw it in the dustbin along with the bouquet.

I went to the closet to change out of this stupid dress, it was irritating me. I groaned when I entered, it was another disaster. Why did I have to take out so many clothes?

I picked all together and stuffed in my cupboard and closed the door immediately. At least they were out of sight now.

My eyes widened when I saw my reflection in the mirror, the bright red lipstick was smudged all around my mouth, I ran to the washroom to wash my face

I was wiping my face with the towel when I heard my phone ringing. I went outside to answer it, I wondered who was calling

Baby calling flashed on my phone, I answered the call

"Hello"

"Aaj ghar wapas aana hai ke nahi (are you going to return home or not?)" She said

"I'm here, already"

"When did you return? I didn't notice, even your car is not parked outside"

My car!!! My heart saddened to think about it

"I sneaked in" I said truthfully

"Ok. Now come to the room"

"Where's jeeju?"

"He has gone outside, he'll be back in half an hour. Don't worry about him, just come"

"I'm coming then" I said and excitedly ran to her room, I opened the door and found her sitting on the bed she had a book in her hands

She looked up at me, before she could say anything I shouted

"Baba called" I cheered in excitement

"What?" She shouted in disbelief

"Yes" I giggled and pounced on her

"Oh my God Reem! I'm so happy" I said hugging her

"Me too" she said, I pulled back, "see I told you everything will be ok"

"Yeah alhamdulillah. Now only mumma is left to be ok with me, then everything will be perfect" I smiled

"Everything is already perfect" she pinched my cheeks. "what did he say?" She asked. I told her about our entire conversation

"I'm so happy" she beamed. Suddenly I remembered what happened tonight, "you know what happened today?" I opened my mouth to tell her about the incident but just then there was a knock on the door, I panicked

"I'll go from here" I said and was about to get down the bed, she held my hand

"No need, it must be Izhaan" she said, she got off the bed and went to answer the door, it was really him.

"Assalamualaikum" he said looking at me

"Walekumassalam" I smiled at him

"Let me just grab my change, then I'll be gone" he said and went into the closet

While walking towards the adjoining door, he stopped and turned around. He came to Reem side

"How are you feeling now?" He asked, she looked at me, I frowned

"I'm fine" she said

"Are you sure?" He asked

"Yes Izhaan! Now go" she snapped at him, I rolled my eyes. Why can't she ever be nice with him? He is so sweet and caring towards her

"What happened to her?" I asked

"Nothing" Reem replied too quickly

"I'm not talking to you" I glared at her

"She's having a headache since she has returned from the university" jeeju replied, Reem facepalmed herself

"What? Headache?" I shouted

"Relax Ayesha it's just a headache" jeeju said

"Izhaan please go to sleep" Reem said to him

"No! I want to know why Ayesha's reaction is so loud about your headache" he said. Reem narrowed her eyes at me

"Because she is crazy, now go, you are worsening my pain" she said and he immediately left.

"You have a headache and you didn't tell me?" I said angrily

"I'm just tired of this back to back exams" she groaned

Hmm she is right! Back to back exams can be tiring. I sighed

"You rest now" I said. She shook her head

"No yaar. I still have a lot to study" she made a face

"Study later, now sleep" I scolded her

"You were telling me something about what happened today!" She reminded me

If I tell her now, she would get angry and take stress, that would be bad for her health. Wait a minute, stress reminds me ...

"Reem! Are you taking your medicines?" I asked, she paled. She immediately closed her book and kept aside, she laid down

"I'm so sleepy, I have to sleep" she said

"Reem" I shouted

"I'm sleeping, she got under the sheets"

So she is not taking her medication. How can she be such a child. I can't even scold her now.

I let out a defeated sigh, what a day it was! Mr Khan going crazy like a bull, baba's call and now Reem's health.

Wait! How did Mr Khan know I was with Sufiyan?

******

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Izhaan's POV

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I entered Athar's room wondering why Ayesha reacted that way. I will have to ask her later.

Athar was already lying down on the bed, I sat next to him

"How did your surprise go?" I asked, he was silent

"Did Aftab uncle call?" I asked again

"Izhaan! Let me sleep" he replied, and turned his back

What happened to him?

I'll change first then I will talk with him. I got into my night dress, then came to bed

"Buddy" I called, but he stayed silent, when I looked at him, he was already asleep.

Strange he slept just like that, every night he eats my head and only goes to sleep when I can't take his crap anymore

I wonder how his surprise went. I hope Ayesha liked it.

I also closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep.

****

Something is wrong with Athar, he has been awfully quiet. He woke up too early and his mood seemed pretty bad. I tried talking to him, but he was not in the mood, I wonder what happened to him.

I thought of talking to him, but he left for the office way before than his usual time.

Breakfast was done, everyone was busy with their work, but Reem was still sleeping, it was around 9:30am and she was out like a log.

I found Ayesha with Hayat, they were sitting in the living room, Ayesha was helping Hayat with her studies.

I had to talk with Ayesha, I wanted to find out why was she reacted that way, so I went to them

"Hayat! Go and make coffee for me" I said, she rolled her eyes and looked at Ayesha

"Bhabhi mere mooh pe kahin yeh chhapa hua hai kya k isse coffee banawao, jo mooh uthaye chale aate hai mere dono bhai (is it somewhere imprinted on my face that ask her to make coffee that both of my brothers keep asking me to make it for them)"

"I will make it for you jeeju" Ayesha volunteered

"No thanks! Hayat will make" I said, hayat stood up and stomped her foot

"Padhne bhi na dijiye aap mujhe (don't even let me study)" she huffed and left

"I want to ask you something" I said, Ayesha smiled

"I know already, you want to know why Reem's headache was such a big deal for me"

"Yes, please tell me" I requested. She told me that after the demise of Reem's family, she fell into depression, she recovered, but since then even a slight stress is too much for her, she starts having headache.

She is on six months medication, regular medicine, good diet and proper sleep will make her perfectly alright, she just has to stay away from stress

I heaved a heavy sigh.

"If there is anything else left to learn about her then please let me know right now" I said, Ayesha laughed

"No jeeju! Now you know everything about her."

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely"

"So, has she been taking her medication?"

"No"

"Why?"

"I asked her last night, she just dodged the question"

I was thinking about how to ask her about this. Suddenly I remembered about Athar

"Hey by the way, what's wrong with Athar, he seemed a little off" I asked, her face fell

"It would be better if you ask him" she replied, I wanted to ask her further but was selecting my words to say, just then Hayat returned

"Here is your coffee" she put a mug in front of me

"I have to be in the court by noon, I am going to get ready" I got up and walked away

"Coffee" hayat shouted

"You can have it" I said, and ran to my room, I could hear hayat shouting but I ignored her.

I opened the door of my room very lightly, the lights were still off, Reem was sleeping peacefully. I walked to her, I looked at her bright beautiful face. I knelt on the floor beside her.

"What are you? How many more locks are left there to open before I finally discover you." I said

My heart broke when I imagined her broken, feeling alone and unloved, I hated myself when I realised that all this while she has been married to me, it was my duty to take care of her, but I was being rebellious that time. I picked up her hand and kissed her palm.

I made so many unsaid promises with her with the intention of fulfilling them all.

I got up and went to get ready. I stood under the shower and got lost in my thoughts.

When Reem was born, I was five years old already, I don't remember much from our childhood, but I do remember that my family and her family used to meet very oftenly.

I was around fifteen years old when maa and papa came to talk to me about my marriage with Reem, I was so shocked to hear that, who wouldn't be, she was just ten years old and I used to see her like a child. So I refused.

My elders never gave up on our marriage, they kept on talking about how dada ji and Reem's dadu were childhood friends and always wanted their kids to get married, but it could not happen, since they both had sons only, so when me and Athar were born,  everyone started praying for Abdullah uncle to have a daughter, and when finally it happened they decided between themselves to marry her with me, since I was the elder one between the two of us

After completing school it was time for me to go to London for higher education, I still remember the day when I was preparing to go, dada ji came to me and talked about me and Reem.

He told me he would be very happy if I marry her, I knew they would not leave the topic so I asked him to give me some time, he was happy with my answer

Next day he came and told me to get ready because we were going to Reem's house, I thought dada ji will tell everyone that I needed time, but a bomb was exploded on me when I got to know it was our nikah day.

Apparently Reem's dadu was worried about what if I fall in love with somebody else when I'll be so far from home, so to give him assurance dada ji got me married to Reem.

I used to feel so ashamed to be married with a thirteen years old child. I was so upset with my family, I stopped talking to them, when I got to know about the tragedy with Reem's family, me and Athar came to India for a while, but even at that time I didn't feel like to even look at her. Then I went back.

After studies, I returned to India, I became normal with my family, but was not willing to accept Reem, gradually dadi convinced me for her, she talked highly of her, then I went to meet her with the family.

When I saw her I was shocked, she was not a child anymore, she became a beautiful girl. I loved the way she was talking with my family, at that moment spending my life with her didn't seem like a bad idea.

But when I talked to her for the first time, I got a reality check, I got to know how much she hated me, she told me clearly that she had no interest in me, and she didn't take me as her husband, but she will stay in the relationship for the sake of our elders only.

Then we kept on meeting at random places, I learnt she was a spoiled girl, all she knew was spending money, clubbing, the more I knew her the more I was getting repulsed from her.

I have always been very good at studying people, but I have failed in her case, I could only see what she showed me, I never trusted my guts.

Now today when I know everything about her, I feel so bad for not being there for her, I wish I was there to wipe her tears everytime she cried. I wish I was there to hold her hand when she felt lonely. I wish I was there to love her when she needed it.

What I couldn't do then, I will do now, I will be her support. I will make her the happiest.

I was wiping my body with a towel when I felt the doorknob jiggling, it must be her, I quickly wrapped the towel around my waist and opened the door.

Reem was standing with her hand on the knob, her eyes were half closed, she looked disorientated.

"Good morning Jaan" I said in a cheery voice, she squinted her eyes, but then her eyes widened when she saw me and she turned around and kept her head down

Shamelessly I walked and stood in front of her

"How are you feeling now?" I asked, she looked horrified and again turned around, she was about to run in the bathroom, but I held her hand.

"Tell me" I insisted, she pulled her hand out of my grip and walked in the bathroom, I laughed loudly

I went into the closet and started getting dressed.

I need some time with Reem alone, she needs to get to know me. We are hardly together, but the thing is Ayesha also needs her and I can't be unfair with her after what my brother did to her

But I think I can at least take Reem out somewhere for dinner or lunch. Let her exams get finished then surely I will take her. We need to spend time together.

I took some hair wax, rubbed it in between my palm, then I styled my hair, I laughed when I realised she was still hiding in the washroom.

After I got completely ready, I gathered my stuff, then I went to the bathroom and knocked on the door.

"I'm leaving now Jaan, you can come outside" I said, there was no noise from inside. I was getting late otherwise I would have troubled her

"Bye Reem" I said, then I left.

****

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Reem's POV

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I gulped down the whole glass of water and laid down, why am I so sleepy? Izhaan's face flashed in my head, why is he so shameless?

What is he trying to do with me? Is he really playing games? Why has he started calling me "jaan"? Every time he called me with that name my heart flutters.

I looked at the ring he gave to me, he was so right when he said that he wanted it to be a reminder of him, I wonder if he had done some magic on the ring

Oh god! Why didn't I think of it earlier? It is a magical ring.

I took it off and kept it aside on the table, I can't keep wearing it, not a chance. I was staring at it weirdly

"I got breakfast for you" Ayesha shouted entering the room, "what you staring at?" She asked

"This stupid ring"

"The one jeeju gave you?" She asked I rolled my eyes

"Ek to tum jab bhi jeeju bolti ho mujhe ajeeb si chid machti hai (I cringe so hard every time you call him jeeju)"

"But he is my jeeju"

"No! He is a fraud"

"What?"

"You know on my birthday night he said he loves me and wants to start our married life, but at the same time he will give me time also"

"Did he say that?"

"Can you believe it?"

I expected her to be as disgusted as I am with it, but I was shocked when she started squealing.

"What's wrong?" I asked

"I'm so happy for you"

"But I'm not because he was lying, he gave me this ring, and said he wants it to be a reminder of him, and now I understand what he meant by that"

"What do you mean?" She frowned

"He has done black magic on it" I told her and she gave me "are you serious" look

" What the hell are you talking!" She asked

" I'm telling you the truth, ever since I have put this ring on. I can't stop thinking about him. My mind is just always busy in thinking about what he said. Did he mean it or not?"

" It could be the start of love" she shrugged, my eyes grew so wide

"Me? Love? Izhaan? Never"

"Why not?"

"Why will i love him?"

"Why not?" She repeated her question

"Shut up and go from here, you are irritating me now" I glared at her, she sat next to me and held my hand.

"Jeeju really loves you Reem, we all have seen that love in his eyes for you. And I think it's high time you also acknowledge it" I scoffed

"Love? Yeah right. He is so shameless, what should I tell you. You know what he did this morning...." I was going to tell her about the morning incident, but suddenly I felt so shy that I couldn't tell her so I changed the topic, "what is there for breakfast?" I asked

"You were telling me something"

"It's nothing" I shook my head, my cheeks felt so warm. Ayesha smirked

"Acchaa ji baat yahan tak pohoch gayi (so it has reached till here)" she teased me, I was feeling so shy, I don't know why, Izhaan's half naked body floated in my head.

"Abhi bata rahi hun, tumhare bachcho ka room to mai hi design karungi (I'm telling you right now, I will design the room for your kids)" she said, I gasped loudly

"Ayeshaaaa" I covered my face with my hands, I was blushing profusely, she laughed loudly

"I didn't know jeeju was this fast." She continued uttering crap

"And madam there is no black magic in this ring, keep wearing it" she took my hand and put the ring on my finger

What is happening to me? Why I am giving so much importance to Izhaan?. I guess I will have to put some distance between us, maybe that will help clear my head

"Listen tomorrow is my last exam, next week we will go to our house" I said

"Take permission from jeeju first" she smirked

"Ayesha" I narrowed my eyes at her

"Fine. We'll go"

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